Smith River, California

One of the top outdoor adventures in Smith River, California is hiking the Smith River National Recreation Area. This scenic trail is a must-visit for outdoor adventurers with its unique landscapes and natural features. The trail offers a moderate difficulty level, perfect for those seeking a challenge. Along the trail, you'll find the stunning South Fork Smith River and the striking rock formations of the Myrtle Creek Botanical Area. Other outdoor activities include fishing in the Smith River, known for its abundant salmon and steelhead. Near the location, you can also visit the Redwood National and State Parks, home to the world's tallest trees. So, if you're planning a trip to Smith River, don't miss out on these best trails and outdoor activities.

Top Spots in and near Smith River

  • Klamath, California

    False Klamath Cove

    4.0
    Wilson Beach in False Klamath Cove is a small but scenic spot in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. Surrounded by thick forest, the dark gray sandy beach is scattered with driftwood, interesting rocks formations, and tide pools. The small free parking area has picnic tables and is a popular spo...
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  • Del Norte County, California

    Yurok Loop Trail

    4.0
    1.23 mi / 145.01 ft gain
    The Yurok Loop Trail is a small loop on the northern end of the growing California Coastal Trail. This family-friendly hike starts at a picturesque lagoon near False Klamath Cove before crossing a bridge and entering the Sitka spruce forest. From the trail junction, you have the choice of passin...
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  • Crescent City, California

    Devil's Punchbowl, Six Rivers National Forest

    4.0
    8.33 mi / 1660 ft gain
    Located in extreme Northern California, the Siskiyou Mountains are the largest sub-range of the Klamath Mountain range and among the most rugged. The Siskiyou Wilderness, designated in 1984, encompasses three national forests: Siskiyou, Klamath and Six Rivers for a total of 182,802 acres. Because...
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  • Del Norte County, California

    Backpack to Raspberry Lake

    1.0
    12 mi / 1800 ft gain
    If you wish to experience the beauty of the Siskiyou Wilderness and avoid the crowds associated with The Devil’s Punchbowl, then consider a visit to Raspberry Lake. Beginning at the Young’s Valley Trailhead (Coordinates: 41.889919, -123.654755), this hike is a great option for those seeking wide...
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  • Klamath, California

    Hike to the Klamath River Outlook

    3.0
    1 mi / 500 ft gain
    Fun drive on Requa Road off 101 takes you to a great little outlook. Take the trail descent down to the beach or connect with the CA Coastal trails for a three or four mile jaunt to either Hidden Beach or Lagoon Creek Beach. This spot is a local gem with minimal visitors. It also offers a likely ...
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  • Gold Beach, Oregon

    Hike Cape Sebastian

    5.0
    2.7 mi / 718 ft gain
    A short hike on the southern Oregon Coast. It's a beautiful and scenic hike with amazing vistas of where the mountains meet the ocean.  The hike is not very difficult, unless you decide to hike down to the beach.  There are several vista points along this hike where you can stop to take pictures ...
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  • Orick, California

    Fern Canyon

    4.5
    1.12 mi / 269 ft gain
    Fern Canyon is located within Gold Bluffs Beach at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park located some 45 miles south of Crescent City, CA. Entrance to the beach area is located on Davidson Rd off the US-101 in Orick, CA. You will need to drive for about 6 miles on the dirt road at the turn of Davidso...
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  • Orick, California

    Friendship Ridge Trail Loop via the Coastal Trail

    3.0
    7.11 mi / 1047 ft gain
    This loop hike starts at the Fern Canyon Trailhead.  To get to Fern Canyon, drive to the end of Davison Rd, also known as Gold Bluff Beach Road.  There is a pay station at the entrance to the road ($8 in 2015).  After heavy rain, the road may be impassable for passenger cars.   From the parking ...
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  • Orick, California

    Hike the James Irvine Miner's Ridge Loop, Redwood National Forest

    4.5
    12 mi / 1350 ft gain
    What is known as the "James Irvine Miner's Ridge Loop" is actually a combination of trails that creates a loop in the Redwood Forest. For only being around 12 miles round trip, it is an easy way to see the diverse scenery in one hike. In a nutshell, on this hike you get some of the best features:...
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  • Orick, California

    Camp at Gold Bluff Beach

    5.0
    Located at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, the access road to this beach is a dirt road through the redwoods. Once you arrive to the beach area there is a park booth. The charge to overnight is $35 per day. Can also pay a day use fee which is less. The campground is situated some 200 yards fro...
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  • Gold Beach, Oregon

    Explore Barley Beach

    5.0
    It's a very uncrowded beach on the Southern Oregon Coast.  This is due to the fact that it is very far from a large population density area. This beautiful beach has miles of sand to explore. The further north you go on the beach, the less crowded it will beach. This is also an occasional surf sp...
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  • Orick, California

    Cal Barrel Road

    5.0
    3.93 mi / 883 ft gain
    Cal-Barrel Road is a gravel logging road approximately 3.5 miles long, offering a quieter, lesser-used pathway under towering old-growth redwoods adjacent to the Prairie Creek Visitor Center. The road climbs roughly 700 feet, with tight corners and a canopy of fallen needles that makes it resem...
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  • Orick, California

    Clintonia Trail Loop

    4.0
    6.98 mi / 1033 ft gain
    Clintonia Trail Loop is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Orick, California.
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  • Orick, California

    Explore the Prairie Creek Redwoods

    4.1
    Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is located in Orick, CA about 50 miles North of Eureka, Ca and 25 miles South of Crescent City, CA. Take the Newton B Drury Scenic Parkway exit off of Highway 101. Along this road there is a prairie where wild Roosevelt Elk can be spotted. They are wild so keep y...
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  • Orick, California

    Prairie Creek Redwoods Loop

    5.0
    19.42 mi / 2799 ft gain
    This is the itinerary for our 3 day backpacking trip at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in early May. The original plan was to backpack Redwood Creek Trail in Redwood National Park.  A couple issues stopped us from doing that: The water level was too high in May and multiple Park Rangers warne...
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  • Orick, California

    Gold Bluffs & Prairie Creek Redwoods Loop

    20.19 mi / 1759 ft gain
    This classic cycling loop is a great way to experience a variety of scenery and riding surfaces in The Prairie Creek Redwoods. It also allows you to visit Gold Bluffs Beach and the famous Fern Canyon without the otherwise required parking permit which needs to be acquired in advance. The route he...
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